Principal Engineering Technician (NY HELPS)-Region 3

Principal Engineering Technicians (PET) are found throughout DOT and can be assigned to work in various units in the regional office or in field assignments. All PET assignments may include supervisory duties and may be assigned to other groups throughout their career.

When assigned to Construction, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Functioning as Engineer-In-charge (EIC) on smaller, less complex projects. Duties include, but not limited to, administering contract plans, overseeing construction activity, ensuring timely contractor payments are made, proactively ensuring project safety, and coordinating with regional groups as field changes become necessary.
• Functioning as an Office Engineer. Duties include, but are not limited to, ensuring project compliance with the Manual of Uniform Record Keeping (MURK), reviewing inspector Daily Work Reports (DWRs), checking quantity calculations, and preparing estimates for EIC approval.
• Functioning as a Construction Inspector. Duties include, but are not limited to, monitoring construction work activities of a work operation to ensure safety, the quality of work, and compliance with contract documents and Department requirements, reviewing Work Zone Traffic Control (WZTC) for proper setup, measuring field accomplishments on a daily basis, and preparing Daily Work Reports (DWRs).
• Functioning as the Assistant Laboratory Supervisor, Laboratory Assistant IAST Coordinator, or Assistant Plant Quality Assurance Technician assisting in establishment and implementation of quality control requirements and quality assurance programs to ensure that designs and materials used in a project meet the specified quality requirements.

When assigned to Design, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Designing simple projects or parts of more complex projects.
• Reviewing the work of drafting and engineering technicians assigned to the team.
• Preparing special specifications; preparing plans through proficiency in CADD drafting software; preparing cost and quantity estimates for contracts; evaluating construction alternatives for cost effectiveness, maintenance needs and impacts on surrounding areas; assisting in collecting and evaluating information; preparing final plans, specifications and quantity estimates for projects; and checking and verifying the accuracy of design and contract plans and estimates prepared by others
• Acting as Survey Crew Chief; preparing survey plans and maps, determining highway boundaries under the direction of a licensed Land Surveyor; and reviewing highway boundaries and acquisition maps prepared by consultants.
• Assisting in the in the inspection and evaluation of bridges, culverts, overhead sign structures and other transportation elements; assist in collecting and evaluating field data and other structural information; assist in the preparation of inspection reports; and perform field investigations. Must be able to work in an outdoor environment, traverse steep slopes when necessary, enter water drainage courses, carry and setup inspection equipment and work in close proximity to traffic.

When assigned to Traffic, typical duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting basic traffic engineering studies and reviews, which include field investigations, crash analyses, creating of conditions diagrams and making recommendations for solutions. These traffic studies will be in compliance with applicable standards, laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; determine any changes to traffic control devices to address the outcome of the traffic studies, insuring compliance with federal and state standards on traffic control devices.
• Working with designers, planners and operational staff in development of scope and plans for projects.
• Assisting in recommending more extensive safety improvements after field investigations, crash analyses of corridors or larger studies, under the guidance of an engineer.
• Communicating (verbal and written) with the general public and elected officials, as directed.

When assigned to Transportation Maintenance, will function as the Regional Accident Damage Recovery (ADR) Coordinator, under the supervision of a Professional Engineer 1, duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Working with highway maintenance, bridge maintenance, and signal maintenance on all facets of Accident Damage Recovery (ADR), including obtaining accident reports, field assessing damage sites to appraise damage and developing repair cost estimates, billing parties (insurance companies, vehicle owners, etc.) and tracking ADR claims, processing payments from claimants, providing program updates to Regional Operations group and Main Office Claims.
• Answering inquires/complaints (written and verbal) from various parties (vehicle owners, insurance companies, lawyers, police, etc.) involving damage to State property.
• Assisting with Freedom of Information (FOIL) requests
• Performing field work as needed to support Transportation Maintenance, including measuring and estimating – pavement sections for milling/paving projects, guiderail projects, open and closed drainage projects, tree removal projects; large culvert inspection and assessment; small culvert inventory and inspection.

At the time of appointment and continuously thereafter, possession of a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State is required or the ability to meet the travel requirements of the position must otherwise be demonstrated. Overnight assignments, night work and weekend work may be required to support construction operations.

Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).*

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

Promotional: One year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as an Engineering Geologist, Engineering Materials Analyst, Environmental Engineering Technician 2, Senior Drafting Technician (all parenthetics), Senior Engineering Technician, or Senior Engineering Technician (Soils).

Open Competitive:

Either

• FOUR years of experience assisting in engineering or engineering technology, engineering management technology, architecture or architectural technology, environmental technology, landscape architecture/design, materials laboratory technology, drafting or surveying, AND graduation from high school or possession of a diploma issued by a recognized educational authority;

Or

• an associate's degree in mathematics, physical science, geology, engineering or engineering technology, engineering management technology, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture/design, environmental technology, drafting, forestry, surveying, aeronautics, electronics, or electronics technology AND TWO years of experience listed above in number 1;

Or

• a bachelor's degree in mathematics, physical science, geology, engineering or engineering technology, engineering management technology, architecture or architectural technology, construction technology, landscape architecture/design, environmental technology, drafting, forestry, surveying, aeronautics, electronics, or electronics technology.

Candidates may also be qualified for permanent competitive appointment if reachable from the appropriate Civil Service eligible list or eligible for reassignment or transfer in accordance with Civil Service Law.

If there are three or fewer qualified candidates interested in appointment to this position, a permanent appointment may be made pursuant to Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law. To be eligible, candidates must be an employee of the Department of Transportation and have one year of permanent competitive service as a Senior Engineering Technician, SG-13.